Guidebook for Enchanting Downtown Albuquerque
Food Scene
Some local favorites
Debajo is our favorite restaurant! It is a short walk, just 2 blocks, but you will feel like you are back in Spain! Excellent food and wonderful wines. It is in the mid to higher range as far as pricing, but worth it!
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The Cellar Tapas, Beer and Wine
1025 Lomas Blvd NWDebajo is our favorite restaurant! It is a short walk, just 2 blocks, but you will feel like you are back in Spain! Excellent food and wonderful wines. It is in the mid to higher range as far as pricing, but worth it!
Josh, Maya, Alex, and Matt will greet you like you are family. Their welcoming atmosphere and delicious coffee helped us solidify our decision to buy the house we did in downtown. You will meet all our neighbors here!
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Castle Coffee
727 Tijeras Ave NWJosh, Maya, Alex, and Matt will greet you like you are family. Their welcoming atmosphere and delicious coffee helped us solidify our decision to buy the house we did in downtown. You will meet all our neighbors here!
Not just another Better Call Saul scene, but also great breakfast and lunch food. After a relaxing coffee and Castle Coffee head across the street for a delicious breakfast. Café Lush is another place we share with visiting family and friends. Not to be missed!
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cafe lush
700 Tijeras Ave NWNot just another Better Call Saul scene, but also great breakfast and lunch food. After a relaxing coffee and Castle Coffee head across the street for a delicious breakfast. Café Lush is another place we share with visiting family and friends. Not to be missed!
We walk here for the outdoor patio and best huevos rancheros! Just 2 blocks from our house, you really can’t go wrong with anything breakfast or lunch! We look forward to them reopening the wine bar! Check their hours before heading there as they do fluctuate.
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Slate Street Cafe
515 Slate Ave NWWe walk here for the outdoor patio and best huevos rancheros! Just 2 blocks from our house, you really can’t go wrong with anything breakfast or lunch! We look forward to them reopening the wine bar! Check their hours before heading there as they do fluctuate.
Every Saturday from May to October, we walk to local, fresh produce, food, meats, pastries, salsas, flowers, herbs, soaps, jewelry, music, art, and much more!! Join us at 9AM for yoga as well! Fun for all!
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Downtown Growers' Market
810 Copper Ave NWEvery Saturday from May to October, we walk to local, fresh produce, food, meats, pastries, salsas, flowers, herbs, soaps, jewelry, music, art, and much more!! Join us at 9AM for yoga as well! Fun for all!
Old Town’s charm has so much to offer! Enjoy delicious cocktails and local beers on tap. This is just one of the many reasons we love living here!
The Taproom at Old Town
524 Romero Street NorthwestOld Town’s charm has so much to offer! Enjoy delicious cocktails and local beers on tap. This is just one of the many reasons we love living here!
Cocina Azul
1134 Mountain Rd NWJust a short walk to this local favorite!
Walk or drive to this Albuquerque original location. Family friendly.
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Garcia's Kitchen - The Original
1736 Central Ave SWWalk or drive to this Albuquerque original location. Family friendly.
A local favorite on the Breaking Bad Tour. Order at the window if you walk or park in the lot and they will come out and take your order. Super fun and an Albuquerque must if you are a Breaking Bad fan.
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Dog House Drive In
1216 Central Ave NWA local favorite on the Breaking Bad Tour. Order at the window if you walk or park in the lot and they will come out and take your order. Super fun and an Albuquerque must if you are a Breaking Bad fan.
A great place to enjoy a variety of local foods, beer, wine, and spirits! We love the atmosphere and everyone gets to eat something different!
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Sawmill Market
1909 Bellamah Ave NWA great place to enjoy a variety of local foods, beer, wine, and spirits! We love the atmosphere and everyone gets to eat something different!
Bosque Baking Co
922 Coal Ave SWYum! Fresh breads, cookies, and empanadas!
Great Asian Fusion food in Old Town and next to The Tap Room. Their bowls are yummy!
We heard a recent rumor that they were relocating to Downtown Core so check their website before heading over!
Kitsune
Great Asian Fusion food in Old Town and next to The Tap Room. Their bowls are yummy!
We heard a recent rumor that they were relocating to Downtown Core so check their website before heading over!
Food scene with great view for people watching. This place is a concept of bringing great food truck ideas to a central location with indoor and outdoor seating. So many tasty talents under one roof! Oh, and there is a bar too!
505 Central Food Hall
Food scene with great view for people watching. This place is a concept of bringing great food truck ideas to a central location with indoor and outdoor seating. So many tasty talents under one roof! Oh, and there is a bar too!
Oni is a new favorite of ours! Japanese Ramen classics and some Albuquerque fusion Ramens with Food Truck roots. SO Delicious! The service is top notch with happy employees and atmosphere as inviting as the ramen. The bonus is it's a 10 minute walk from our house!
Oni
Oni is a new favorite of ours! Japanese Ramen classics and some Albuquerque fusion Ramens with Food Truck roots. SO Delicious! The service is top notch with happy employees and atmosphere as inviting as the ramen. The bonus is it's a 10 minute walk from our house!
Stop by on any walk for a pastry, bread, or really wonderful pizza!! Prat is a delight if you get a chance to talk to him.
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Golden Crown Panaderia
1103 Mountain Rd NWStop by on any walk for a pastry, bread, or really wonderful pizza!! Prat is a delight if you get a chance to talk to him.
Chef Marie opened this restaurant after she closed Slow Roasted Bocadillos. Sure to be a delight as she earned a James Beard Award for Bocadillos!
My Moms
Chef Marie opened this restaurant after she closed Slow Roasted Bocadillos. Sure to be a delight as she earned a James Beard Award for Bocadillos!
Great food, margaritas, and atmosphere! There is usually a trio playing Mexican music which adds to the atmosphere!
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Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St NWGreat food, margaritas, and atmosphere! There is usually a trio playing Mexican music which adds to the atmosphere!
Newly opened in late summer 2024 Ex Novo is a perfect addition to the Downtown Core! It’s just a half mile from our house. We love their local beers and the chef is a well known Burqueño. Great food, beers, outside seating, and for a special treat request the upstairs “Speakeasy” with a separate menu and cocktails! You may see us there!
Ex Novo Brewing Company
Newly opened in late summer 2024 Ex Novo is a perfect addition to the Downtown Core! It’s just a half mile from our house. We love their local beers and the chef is a well known Burqueño. Great food, beers, outside seating, and for a special treat request the upstairs “Speakeasy” with a separate menu and cocktails! You may see us there!
After one visit, Camila's is our go-to!! Local, authentic, delicious food and the SWEETEST folks that own it. Family run, good prices, and another MUST! Breakfast and lunch only and a 5 minute walk away.
Camila's New Mexican Food
After one visit, Camila's is our go-to!! Local, authentic, delicious food and the SWEETEST folks that own it. Family run, good prices, and another MUST! Breakfast and lunch only and a 5 minute walk away.
Walk over to the BEST takeout tacos! Vamos con Gloria was a food truck and now has this wonderful takeout brick and motor.
vamos con Gloria
Walk over to the BEST takeout tacos! Vamos con Gloria was a food truck and now has this wonderful takeout brick and motor.
Drinks & Nightlife
Just a short 5 block walk to live music, some of the best food trucks in Albuquerque, and local brews! Marble is usually the first night out when we have family and friends visiting. Don’t miss the views from the rooftop deck!
Marble Brewery
111 Marble Ave NWDid you know New Mexico has the oldest grape vines in the United States? We are the original wine country! Located in Old Town about a mile from our home, we love sitting in the art gallery and enjoying a glass or a tasting with the cheese charcuterie board. Join us for Wine Wednesday and 20% off purchases. Robert, Abigail, Yvonne, and Mauve are just as delightful as the atmosphere! You’ll enjoy the wines so much, you’ll go home with a wine membership like we did!
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Noisy Water Winery
301 Romero St NWDid you know New Mexico has the oldest grape vines in the United States? We are the original wine country! Located in Old Town about a mile from our home, we love sitting in the art gallery and enjoying a glass or a tasting with the cheese charcuterie board. Join us for Wine Wednesday and 20% off purchases. Robert, Abigail, Yvonne, and Mauve are just as delightful as the atmosphere! You’ll enjoy the wines so much, you’ll go home with a wine membership like we did!
Best view in town and AMAZING apothecary cocktails!!! Go at sunset for watching the city shift from buildings to vibrant city at the same time witness the Sandia Mountains turn shades of red and pink. Do you see why the mountains are called Sandia? (Watermelon). This is our favorite place to marvel at our city.
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Apothecary Lounge
806 Central Ave SEBest view in town and AMAZING apothecary cocktails!!! Go at sunset for watching the city shift from buildings to vibrant city at the same time witness the Sandia Mountains turn shades of red and pink. Do you see why the mountains are called Sandia? (Watermelon). This is our favorite place to marvel at our city.
Walk a few blocks to Gravity Bound and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of dog friendly outdoor brews. Weekends have food trucks or wood-fired pizza. The picnic tables make it easy to find new friends as you enjoy the craft brews.
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Gravity Bound Brewing Company
816 3rd St NWWalk a few blocks to Gravity Bound and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of dog friendly outdoor brews. Weekends have food trucks or wood-fired pizza. The picnic tables make it easy to find new friends as you enjoy the craft brews.
We go early for the delicious food, great cocktail concoctions, and best selection of pinball machines. The bonus is the live music!
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Sister Bar
407 Central Ave NWWe go early for the delicious food, great cocktail concoctions, and best selection of pinball machines. The bonus is the live music!
We buy our gin from Still Spirits and use it as an excuse to sample another few yummy drinks on the menu!
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Still Spirits
120 Marble Ave NWWe buy our gin from Still Spirits and use it as an excuse to sample another few yummy drinks on the menu!
This brewery is a short drive and has a food truck on the weekends. Try the local herb brews! We love that two native women own and operate this brewery. They create some of my favorite craft brews!
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Bow & Arrow Brewing Company
608 McKnight Ave NWThis brewery is a short drive and has a food truck on the weekends. Try the local herb brews! We love that two native women own and operate this brewery. They create some of my favorite craft brews!
You will feel like you are transported to a villa in the Cataluña countryside! New Mexico is home to the oldest vineyards in the United States. Relax and unwind.
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Casa Rondeña Winery
733 Chavez RdYou will feel like you are transported to a villa in the Cataluña countryside! New Mexico is home to the oldest vineyards in the United States. Relax and unwind.
Parks & Nature
I run the mile and a half to the rio (river) and along the Bosque Trail dirt paths at least three days a week. It’s tranquil and full of birds, beautiful big trees, and the sound of running water. We are so grateful to have this natural beauty so close. Go for a walk, a run, or bike ride the miles of paved path free of cars!
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Bosque Trail
Bosque TrailI run the mile and a half to the rio (river) and along the Bosque Trail dirt paths at least three days a week. It’s tranquil and full of birds, beautiful big trees, and the sound of running water. We are so grateful to have this natural beauty so close. Go for a walk, a run, or bike ride the miles of paved path free of cars!
Sandia Mountains
You’ll see petroglyphs from ancient native people and some from conquistadors. Fascinating lava flow and ancient art
Albuquerque volcanic field
You’ll see petroglyphs from ancient native people and some from conquistadors. Fascinating lava flow and ancient art
Before you get to Old Town stop and enjoy our beautiful park. Great for kids, parents, dog walkers, and anyone who likes parks!
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Tiguex Park
1800 Mountain Rd NWBefore you get to Old Town stop and enjoy our beautiful park. Great for kids, parents, dog walkers, and anyone who likes parks!
Unique to Albuquerque
Old Town is the oldest section of Albuquerque and a nice mile walk from our home. The Jesuits built the church and the Plaza developed around it over the next hundred
Old Town is less than a mile walk from our home and like going back in time. The original church was built by the Jesuits in the 1700’s. The plaza built up around it over the next hundred years and remains the same unique architecture today. Maybe you’ll be lucky and hear a mariachi band playing in the center gazebo!
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Old Town
Old Town is less than a mile walk from our home and like going back in time. The original church was built by the Jesuits in the 1700’s. The plaza built up around it over the next hundred years and remains the same unique architecture today. Maybe you’ll be lucky and hear a mariachi band playing in the center gazebo!
What can we say? The largest hot air balloon gathering in the world. Balloon Fiesta is a sight to see and experience. We’ll see you there!
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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
4401 Alameda Blvd NEWhat can we say? The largest hot air balloon gathering in the world. Balloon Fiesta is a sight to see and experience. We’ll see you there!
New Mexico is home to the oldest inhabitants. This is an outstanding museum to learn about the Pueblos and Native beauty with rotating dance performances on the weekends. Another must for learning about the rich and long history of New Mexico!
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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St NWNew Mexico is home to the oldest inhabitants. This is an outstanding museum to learn about the Pueblos and Native beauty with rotating dance performances on the weekends. Another must for learning about the rich and long history of New Mexico!
We have been to concerts here, but not the cultural center. Let us know how you like it!
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National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St SWWe have been to concerts here, but not the cultural center. Let us know how you like it!
Walk to this fabulous museum of art! We love spending time here and then walking to Noisy Water Winery for a glass of wine. The summer brings jazz and salsa music every weekend!
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I-Albuquerque Museum
2000 Mountain Rd NWWalk to this fabulous museum of art! We love spending time here and then walking to Noisy Water Winery for a glass of wine. The summer brings jazz and salsa music every weekend!
Come see all the dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico and learn about how New Mexico was formed.
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I-Museum ye-Natural History ne-Science ye-New Mexico
1801 Mountain Rd NWCome see all the dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico and learn about how New Mexico was formed.
The kids and the kid in you will love this museum! We have not explored it yet so let us know how you like it.
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Explora Science Center
1701 Mountain Rd NWThe kids and the kid in you will love this museum! We have not explored it yet so let us know how you like it.
Another museum that’s on our list. We’ve heard it’s a must see.
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Turquoise Museum
400 2nd Street SouthwestAnother museum that’s on our list. We’ve heard it’s a must see.
There is no other Nuclear museum that we know of and New Mexico has a rich history of science.
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I-Museum yaseNtshonalanga yamaKhono neeNkonzo
601 Eubank Blvd SEThere is no other Nuclear museum that we know of and New Mexico has a rich history of science.
Flamenco Works has moved to their new location on Central! If you can catch a show, we highly recommend it! Jesus and Amalyah are incredible dancers. We have also enjoyed their guest Flamenco guitarists. Albuquerque and New Mexico are the hub for Flamenco in all of North America. We are so lucky to live here and enjoy this piece of Spanish culture and amazingly talented dancers and musicians!
Flamenco Works, Inc.
Flamenco Works has moved to their new location on Central! If you can catch a show, we highly recommend it! Jesus and Amalyah are incredible dancers. We have also enjoyed their guest Flamenco guitarists. Albuquerque and New Mexico are the hub for Flamenco in all of North America. We are so lucky to live here and enjoy this piece of Spanish culture and amazingly talented dancers and musicians!
Neighborhoods
Love this park! It's next to Old Town and the museums. Great place to read a book, play with kids, or walk and enjoy the trees.
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Tiguex Park
1800 Mountain Rd NWLove this park! It's next to Old Town and the museums. Great place to read a book, play with kids, or walk and enjoy the trees.
As you walk, ride, or run to the Bosque paths along the Rio Grande, enjoy a beautiful neighborhood and variety of architecture. Look for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations!
Huning Castle
As you walk, ride, or run to the Bosque paths along the Rio Grande, enjoy a beautiful neighborhood and variety of architecture. Look for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul filming locations!